SUNDAY STAR, 13 JANUARY 2019

Changes for the new year

HEADING into the third week of
the new year, the one thing
Malaysians can count on is that
2019 will be an interesting one for
the automotive industry.
Following the change in
government last year, a new
transport minister was appointed,
and he was quick to voice his
concerns and implement changes
on existing policies.
One such change made by
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook
during his first few weeks in
charge was stopping non-
governmental organisations
(NGOs) from selling special vehicle
plate numbers as it does not
benefit the Government.
“A successful NGO would only
have to pay the Government
RM1mil to get the plates, but the
resale value could be roughly
RM20mil per plate. That itself is a
huge loss of revenue to the
Government,” said Loke in an
interview with The Star.
He has since taken his stand on
multiple issues under his purview
such as the issue of unchanged
Takata airbags, unpaid summonses
by private and commercial vehicle
owners, stricter monitoring for
emergency lane abusers, ride-
hailing apps and the state of the
country’s public transport.
Fairer for all
been the case throughout the years,
we can expect long queues at all
petrol stations whenever a higher
petrol price is announced.
While some motorists may cry
inconvenience at not having a
standard pricing model, the revised
weekly float system is the best
option, especially for consumers, as
it is reflective of global oil prices.
Furthermore, the Government has
pledged that should oil prices rise
higher than expected, the prices for
RON 95 and diesel will be capped
at RM2.20 and RM2.18 per litre
respectively.
The news of a float model comes
as a bitter pill to swallow for the
Petrol Dealers Association of
Malaysia (PDAM) as it results in its
members losing money should oil
prices go down. Oil companies
currently have the upper hand as
they can wait until oil prices rise
before delivering fresh supply,
hampering the profit margins for
privately owned petrol stations The first thing motorists will have to get used to this year is the newly reintroduced weekly float model for fuel.
that hold an average of three to
five days’ worth of fuel in their The market for SUVs is still for 2018 has not yet been released), Show is anything to go by, the
respective tanks. substantially smaller than the one the company will be keen to ensure automotive industry for 2019
PDAM is already in talks with for passenger cars but Proton has it maintains its top spot. should remain positive despite
some oil companies to help been wise to focus on improving The Aruz is positioned as a slower economic growth.
manage the profit margin issue consumer perception and win back budget or compact seven-seat SUV Top marques were seen at the
faced by retailers, but the review of customer confidence. and should not find any direct show, displaying several new
petrol dealers’ margin by the Doing so successfully will, in competition from the X70, which models that will make their
Government is the most logical and turn, boost sales for its range of has higher specs and power output. debut this year. These included
positive step for the time being. passenger cars – the national Only teasers have been released workhorses such as the Ford
automaker’s bread and butter. by Perodua thus far, but the Ranger Raptor and updated

The biggest news came at the

very start of 2019, with the
Government moving to once again
set petrol prices based on a weekly
float model. For obvious reasons,
motorists will be directly affected,
but the ripple effect extends to
every consumer product one way
or another, thus concerning all
Malaysians.
The new prices for RON 97, RON
95 petrol and diesel are to be
announced every Friday and will
take effect on Saturdays. As has
Flying the flag
After losing out to Perodua in
terms of market shares for many
years, Proton is aiming to bounce
back with its first-ever SUV – the
X70.
This is the first collaborative
vehicle to be released by Proton
since Zhejiang Geely inked a 49.9%
stake in the company, and it is
reasonable for Proton to have such
high hopes for the new vehicle as
the SUV segment has experienced
continuous growth in recent years.
There have already been more
than 15,000 bookings for the X70
since last September, which is an
encouraging number for a vehicle
that was officially launched only a
month ago.
For now, the X70 may be
produced entirely in China and
imported into Malaysia as fully
built-up units, but it is a good start.
Perodua will also have its own
SUV offering in the Aruz. Having
dominated the local market with
the highest number of vehicles sold
in 2016 and 2017 (the final figure
company has seen promising signs
upon opening for booking with 300
bookings after the first day. With
such high numbers from both
national manufacturers, we can
expect the number of SUVs to
double or even triple on the road
by year end.
More options for
Malaysians
If the recently concluded
Kuala Lumpur International Motor
Mitsubishi Triton, sedans such as
the new Toyota Camry and Vios,
and SUVs from DS Automobiles
and Hyundai. New motorbikes,
electric cars and commercial
vehicles were also present at
the show.
It is safe to assume that these
companies would not have
invested so much into the show if
they did not believe in the local
automotive market. Thus, 2019
certainly holds promise and is a
year that car buyers and motorists
can look forward to.

Malaysians will soon see an

influx of SUVs on the road with
the latest offerings by both
national car makers.
2 Motoring SUNDAY STAR, 13 JANUARY 2019

Things to ask before

BUYING a new car is an exciting
prospect. The thought of pulling
up in your driveway and setting
your social media account on

signing the dotted line

fire with a shiny new ride can
make the feel-good hormones kick
in.
However, buying the wrong
car can be quite disastrous. Before
you sell your soul for that shiny
new ride on the showroom floor,
here are four things you must
know to help you walk away with
a deal that suits you.

Numbers do not lie It is advisable to

Most Malaysian buyers
prioritise space when choosing a
car. As individuals who live or
work in urban areas spend a
considerable amount of time stuck
in traffic congestions, space is
essential.
However, do not take the
salesperson’s word for it – compare
the dimensions between cars
because numbers do not lie.
Aspects such as wheelbase,
width and boot space can be
quantified and reflect the amount
of space and comfort your car
offers.
Input and output
Besides dimensions, be sure to
check the type of engine the car
has. A car’s engine capacity
alone will not determine its
performance. Look for horsepower
figures and, more importantly,
torque figures.
Torque determines the
accelerative force of your car.
Modern direct-injection
turbocharged cars such as the
Honda Civic and Peugeot 208 may
have small-capacity engines but
produce more torque than two-litre
Just because a car looks good in the showroom doesn't mean you should commit to it instantly. Consider your criteria
for a suitable car carefully to prevent unpleasant surprises.
non-turbocharged engines.
Additionally, be sure to find out
the official fuel consumption
figures of any car you are
considering.
While achieving claimed figures
is probably impossible, they are a
good indication of the car’s
drinking habits.
Running costs
Small things such as brake pads
and tyres are not covered in a
car’s warranty. While an 18-inch
rim may look lovely in an
Instagram post, the cost of a
replacement set may see you
checking in from the ward after
experiencing cardiac arrest.
It is advisable to check the car’s
service interval and how much
major and minor services will
cost. Most car dealers can provide
a service schedule that allows you
to plan your ownership cost. Find
out how big the dealer network of
your prospective model is. This
check the car’s
service interval and
how much major and
minor services will
cost. Most car dealers
can provide a service
schedule that allows
you to plan your
ownership cost.
piece of information could come in
handy if you encounter a
breakdown when travelling outside
your postcode.
Spec by spec
Last but not least, be sure to
check what type of safety and
convenience equipment you get for
the price you pay. A car may seem
expensive, but if its safety features
justify the price tag, it’s a good buy.
Paying just for branding’s sake
will leave you with an unpleasant
motoring experience in the long
run.
SUNDAY STAR, 13 JANUARY 2019
Must-have family car features
A FAMILY car is not just a tool to
transport your family from point
A to B. It is also, in some ways, a
second home for the family. Just
like a home, the right features can
transform your family’s journey
from bearable to magical.
Here are some essential
features to consider when looking
for the right family car.
1. ISOFIX child seat harness
If you are a parent, nothing is
of higher priority than the safety
of your child. Toddlers and
children below the age of 10 have
a much better chance of survival
in a collision if they are strapped
into a child safety seat or booster
seat.
To maintain safety standards in
automobiles, the European New
Car Assessment Programme has
been carrying out tests using
dummies that represent children
up to the age of 10 since 2016.
A good family car is designed to
offer the right protection for your
children with the aid of booster or
child seats. Therefore, a family car
with sufficient ISOFIX harnesses
to secure booster and child seats
is invaluable.
2. Good safety ratings
A harness is only as good as the
protection provided by the rest of
the car. A good safety rating for a
car could mean the difference
between a light injury and severe
trauma during the unfortunate
event of a collision.
Take your time to research the
active and passive safety features
of your car and how they will
Motoring 3
Take your time to
research the active and
passive safety features
of your car and how
they will protect your
family and you in the
event of an emergency.
protect your family and you in the
event of an emergency.
3. Plenty of seats and doors
Ample seating and the right-
sized doors for your family
members to get in and out of the
family car are very helpful. The
last thing you want is for your
family to get drenched in the rain
trying to cram into a small space
via tiny doors.
For a family of four, a saloon
or SUV would suffice. For a larger
family, though, a seven-seater
MPV with sliding doors could
prove to be a life-saver.
4. Storage spaces and (Clockwise, from top left) Extra storage in form of cupholders, USB charging ports, ISOFIX child seat harness, a
cubbyholes pull-down tray.
Family road trips require an
arsenal of drinks, snacks and have to spend half the journey space before signing the dotted with, having sufficient charging
entertainment devices, which take resolving conflicts between siblings line. You have been warned. ports throughout the car will
up space. Having a considerable on whose drink is occupying whose ensure that everyone’s phone
amount of cubbies and storage space. 5. USB or charging ports or camera is fully charged
spaces will help maintain peace in Be sure you test out the With so many family members when you arrive at your
the car. Otherwise, the driver will versatility of the interior storage and electronic gadgets to keep up destination.
4 Motoring
MISCONCEPTIONS regarding diesel-
engine cars are aplenty, from being
loud, dirty and sluggish to having
high maintenance costs and leading
to poor fuel economy. On the
contrary, diesel vehicles today are
highly capable machines that can
perform just as well as their petrol
counterparts thanks to continuous
advancements in technology.
It is for this reason that car
companies have introduced diesel
variants into their vehicle line-ups.
Kia is no different.
The global rise in popularity for
personal diesel vehicles encouraged
Naza Kia Malaysia (official
distributor of Kia vehicles in the
country) to offer three diesel
vehicles to the Malaysian public in
form of the Kia Grand Carnival
(2.2D KX and 2.2D SX), Sorento
(2.2D SX) and Sportage (2.0D
GT-Line).
With Chinese New Year just
around the corner, here are eight
reasons you should treat your
family to one of these incredible
machines and head home to your
reunion dinner in style and
comfort.
l Kia’s diesel models have eight-
speed automatic transmission,
letting you be in the right gear in
any driving situation.
l A trademark of any diesel
engine, you can expect the Grand
Carnival, Sorento and Sportage to
have high torque performance,
ideal when carrying more
passengers and luggage for a
weekend getaway.
l The high number of gears also
translates to greater fuel efficiency
and a smoother drive all round,
whether through stop-go city traffic
or cruising down winding trunk
roads.
l Kia is fully committed to the
pursuit of zero emission. Its Eco
State-of-the-art technology on the road
WELCOMING the new year,
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM)
is rewarding Nissan customers a
chance to own a brand new
serviced apartment (2+1 rooms)
worth up to RM665,000 at The Era
@ Duta North when they purchase
and register a Nissan vehicle
before Dec 31 this year.
Adding to the new year
excitement, ETCM is offering
attractive rebates up to RM12,000
for selected Nissan models. In
conjunction with Chinese New
Year, ETCM has added the new
Imperial Red colour option for the
ever-popular Nissan Serena 2.0L
S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star,
which features a two-tone theme
with a distinctive black floating
roof, rear spoiler and side door
mirrors.
The Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid offers
best-in-class fuel economy of
14.2km per litre (New European
Driving Cycle R101) and comes
with innovative features such as
hands-free dual-power sliding
door, dual back door, seven USB-
powered ports, Intelligent Around
View Monitor with Intelligent
Moving Object Detection, and
smartphone connectivity with
Apple CarPlay.
Besides that, ETCM is
continuing to roll the Nissan
X-Trail X-Tremer out in Passion
Red and two new colour options –
Brilliant White and Tungsten
Silver – with black componentry
and glossy black, five-spoke,
17-inch alloy wheels. The X-Trail
X-Tremer also comes with a bold
front X-Face cladding, chrome
rear bumper protector and
luxurious black Nappa leather
seats.
The new Imperial Red Nissan
Eight times the prosperity
(Clockwise, from left) The Kia Sorento, Sportage and Grand Carnival offer the best in diesel-fuelled driving.
Dynamics brand is testament to the
company’s effort in making a
sizeable contribution to improving
mankind and the environment.
l These three Kia vehicles are
packed with safety features to
ensure you always have peace of
mind on the road. Six airbags,
vehicle stability management, hill-
start assist control, ISOFIX anchor
points and rear-view cameras are
just some the fancy features in
each Kia vehicle. The Grand
Carnival and Sportage also come
The Nissan X-Trail X-Tremer is chock-full of convenient features and intelligent technologies to give you the ultimate
driving experience.
Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid and X-Trail
X-Tremer will make an appearance
at the upcoming 2019 Nissan Test
Drive Carnival at selected
showrooms today, from 10am to
8pm. You are invited to visit the
carnival and enjoy attractive deals
and fun-filled Chinese New Year
activities. Selected showrooms are
listed below.
l ETCM Butterworth
l ETCM Ipoh
with a blind-spot collision warning
with rear cross-traffic collision
warning feature.
l Diesel is a more stable fuel and
presents a lower risk of causing
fire in the event of a collision.
l These vehicles are a bargain
when you consider the high trim
levels that come standard,
including wireless smartphone
chargers, luxurious leather
finishes, large touchscreen displays
and other cool gadgetry.
l Lastly, diesel engines are
l ETCM Sitiawan
l ETCM Glenmarie
l ETCM Jalan Raja Laut
l ETCM Semabok
l ETCM Muar
l ETCM Sandakan
l ETCM Miri
All Nissan X-Trail (T32 models)
offer an unparalleled experience
and improved way of driving
thanks to state-of-the-art Nissan
known to be workhorses and
reliable, so you can be sure that
you are making the right choice
when you get one or more of
these cars.
If these attributes are not
enough to convince you to head
into a Kia showroom, perhaps the
company’s current Chinese New
Year sales campaign will.
Exclusively for the lunar new
year, Kia customers are in for a
great treat in form of exceptional
Intelligent Mobility technologies,
including the Intelligent Around
View Monitor that provides a 360°
perspective for easier parking and
navigation, Intelligent Ride Control
that moderates any pitching motion
experienced by driving on bumpy
roads by controlling engine torque
and brakes to improve ride
comfort, and Intelligent Engine
Brake system that adjusts the
amount of engine braking to
SUNDAY STAR, 13 JANUARY 2019
bargains. Kia will also be
rewarding its customers with gold
valued at up to RM21,000.
Moreover, all Kia vehicles come
with up to five years of free
maintenance service and a five-
year warranty with unlimited
mileage. Special rebates are up for
grabs when you visit a Kia
dealership this festive season.
Terms and conditions apply.
n For more information, visit
www.kia.com
reduce speed when rounding
corners or stopping.
Other technologies include the
Intelligent Trace Control that
automatically applies small
amounts of braking to individual
wheels to reduce understeer and
Intelligent 4x4 System (4x4-i) that
offers a choice between permanent
2WD mode, auto mode (2WD and
4WD modes) and lock mode
(permanent 4WD).
The Nissan X-Trail was awarded
with a five-star safety rating in the
Asean NCAP and is appreciated for
its performance, premium quality
and safety.
The new X-Trail X-Tremer is
priced at RM138,300 (2.0L 2WD)/
RM158,300 (2.5L 4x4-i) in
peninsular Malaysia and RM140,800
(2.0L 2WD)/RM160,800 (2.5L 4x4-i)
in Sabah and Sarawak. The vehicle
comes with a five-year unlimited
mileage warranty while its factory-
fitted accessories come with a three-
year or 100,000km warranty,
whichever comes first.
Today is the last day of the Nissan
Nationwide Roadshow at the
following venues.
l Aeon Kota Baru, Kelantan
l Aeon Tebrau, Johor
l Queensbay Mall, Penang
l One Utama Shopping Centre,
Selangor
l East Coast Mall, Pahang
l Kluang Mall, Johor
l Imago Shopping Mall, Sabah
The roadshow at Vivacity
Megamall, Sarawak, will be held
from Jan 18 to Jan 20.
n For more information, visit www.
nissan.com.my or book a test drive
at any Nissan showroom
nationwide.